Laois Fianna Fáil Fine Gael alliance sees Minister's brother elected Chairman

Fianna Fáil councillor Pádraig Fleming is the new Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council after getting the backing of his party colleagues and Fine Gael representatives.

The brother of Minister of State Seán Fleming was elected to lead the council for the next year at the first meeting of county councillors since the local elections on June 21.

Cllr Fleming previously served as Cathaoirleach in 2017/18 when he also had the backing of Fine Gael representatives thanks to a decade-long coalition of the two parties which dates back to the 2014 local elections.  

Cllr John King, Fine Gael representative for Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick, was elected as Leas Cathaoirleach alongside Cllr Fleming until June 2025.

The were both elected with the support of Cllr Ollie Clooney. The independent councillor supported the coalition between 2019 and 2014.

Cllr Fleming, who represents the Graigueculllen Portarlington Municipal District, is one of six Fianna Fáil representatives on Laois County Council the same number they held prior to June's local election.

Their partners Fine Gael have two less seats in County Hall than after the 2019 local elections. Cllr Thomasina Connell lost her seat in Portlaoise while Cllr Aisling Moran resigned from the party in 2023. 

The Cathaoirleach's role is rotated between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil councillors over the next five years under the coalition.

Apart from Cllr Fleming's election a host of other positions on committee are due to be filled at the AGM. Most of these position were filled by FG and FF councillors in 2019 as part of the coalition deal.